Breech-block.



A. WAKEFIELD.

BREECH BLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.1, 1911.

1,023,976, I 1 Patenfed Apr. 23, 1912.

ALBERT WAKEFIELD, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

BnEEc-H-BLocK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 1, 1911.

Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

Serial No. 647,241.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT WAKEFIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Breech-Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of breech-loading ordnance in which a sliding breech block is employed, said block sliding transversely of'the axis of the bore.

It is the object of the invention to provide a breech block of the kind stated which is so constructed and mounted that it can be easily operated, and also to so construct and mount the block that the breech is not weakened.

In order that the invention may be better understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a plan view of the breechof a gun showing the application of the invention. Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the breech-block sections removed. I

Referring specifically to the drawing, 5 denotes the breech of a gun. In the wall of the breech, on opposite sides thereof, are

slots 6 and 7, respectively, which open into the bore of the gun. These slots are 10- cated, respectively, on opposite sides of, or above and below, the horizontal center line of the gun, and in said slots are slidabiy mounted blocks 8 and 9, respectively, provided with handles 10 at their outer ends. These blocks are adapted to be extended across the bore of the gun, their inner ends being curved to fit the same, and each block extends across one-half of the bore, thus forming a complete closure for the same when both blocks are in position, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The con tiguous faces of the block are formed with an interlocking tongue and groove, as shown at 11 of Fig. 3. In the top wall of the slot 7 is a groove 12 to receive the tongue 11, and the bottom wall of the slot 6 is formed with a tongue 13 which extends into the groove of the block 8. The top of the block 8 has a tongue 14 fitting in a groove in the top wall of the slot 6, and on the bottom of the block 9 is a tongue 15 which fits in a groove in the bottom wall of the slot 7. The blocks have a sliding fit in the slots 6 and half the area which would be required for openings in thewalls of the breech to accommodate the breech block if it were made in one piece. The top wall of the slot 6 and the bot-tom wall of the slot 7 extend tangentially to the bore of the gun, and the bottom wall of the slot 6 and the top wall of the slot 7 coincide with the horizontal center of the bore, in view of which it will be seen that each breech block section extends across one-half of the bore, and when both are moved inwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, the bore will be entirely closed. To open the bore, it is necessary only to grasp the handles 10 and pull the blocks outwardly until they clear the bore. The curved inner ends of the block sections have ribs 14 which fit grooves in the wall of the bore when the sections are in closing position.

I claim:

l. The combination of the breech of a gun having slots in its wall on opposite sides and opening into the bore of the gun, and breech blocks slidably mounted in said slots in the direction of their length, each of said breech blocks extending across onehalf of the bore and together forming a closure therefor, the opposite longitudinal edges of the blocks being in sliding contact with each other.

2. The combination of the breech of a gun having slots in its wall on opposite sides and opening into the bore of the gun, and a breech block which is in sections, said sect-ions entering the bore from opposite sides of the gun and being slidably mounted in the aforesaid slots, in the direction of their length, and the opposite longitudinal edges of the sections being in sliding con tact with each other. v

3. The combination of the breech of a gun having slots in its wall on opposite sides and opening into the bore of the gun, and a breech block which is in sections, said sections entering the bore from opposite sides of the gun and being slidably mounted in the aforesaid slots in the direction of their length, the contiguous faces of the sections having a tongue and groove, re spectively, which interlock.

4. The combination With the breech of a other, and said sections also having tongues gun having slots in its Wall on opposite which fit in the aforesaid grooves. sides and opening into the bore of the gun, In testimony whereof I affix my signature said bore having grooves, and a breech block in presence of two Witnesses. 5 which is in sections, said sections entering n his the bore from opposite sides of the gun ALBERT X WAKEFIELD. and being slidably mounted in the aforesaid slots in the direction of their length, Wit e e the opposite longitudinal edges of the sec- M. A. SOHMIDT,

10 tions being in sliding contact vvith each A. R. WALTON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

